Lake Wales Art Show Features 95 Artists

Wednesday

Mar 20, 2013 at 4:25 PM

The sky has been a source of inspiration for artists as long as art itself.

By MATT REINSTETLE

The sky has been a source of inspiration for artists as long as art itself.This year the sky, art and hot air balloons will be the center of attention in Lake Wales. The Citizens Bank and Trust 42nd annual Lake Wales Art Show will be Saturday and Sunday on the shores of Lake Wailes.The two-day art event is hosted by the Lake Wales Art Council. More than 30,000 people are expected to see the work of 95 artists in categories such as drawing, sculptures and glass.This year's show features a new contest where a winner and a guest will get a close-up view of the sky in a hot-air balloon. Bob Carlton, pilot and owner of Balloons and Beyond, will take the winner and a guest 70 feet in the air in his balloon. The prize package also includes a free overnight stay and breakfast at Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Country Inn.The Central Florida Visitors Bureau is taking entries on its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/VisitCentralFlorida). Entries will be accepted until 10 p.m. Friday, and the winners will be announced at 2 p.m. Saturday. The hot air balloon theme was inspired by the the artwork of Zacharia Hussain, an 8th-grader at Dundee Ridge Middle School."We're busy putting the last pieces together of this giant logistical puzzle," show chair Pirjo Restina, said in a press release. "With some of the greatest artists in the Southeast competing for more than $30,000 in cash prizes, this year's show is sure to be a masterpiece!"Winner of the Best of Show Award will receive $3,500, and winners of the Judges Award for Exceptional Work and the Citizens Bank and Trust Award for Exceptional Work each receive $2,500. There will also be three awards given to each of the eight art categories. An "Art-B-Q" barbecue event will kick off the weekend at 5 p.m. Friday at Lake Wailes. Tickets are $10, and patrons are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and bug spray.There will be live music and artist demonstrations throughout each day of the show. Some of the musical artists performing include singer/songwriter Bryan Rivers from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, the Wiregrass Southern Gypsy Jazz Grass Jam Band from 3:15-4 p.m. Saturday and the Free Time Jazz Band from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.In addition to the Lake Wales Art Show, the 44th annual Student Art Show will be held in the Lake Wales Depot Museum from Saturday through April 6. There will be kids art activities at the Lake Wales Charter Schools Children's Tent. Kids will be able to decorate custom crafts with felt wallets, iPod cases and bracelets.

Matt Reinstetle can be reached at matt.reinstetle@theledger.com or 802-7533. Follow Matt on Twitter @LedgerMatt.